Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The Cool Kids have been a staple on my own personal iPod(s) since their 2005 inception. It's almost uncanny for a group to garner so much fan/critical acclaim without a proper full-length release out. Said album (When Fish Ride Bicycles) has almost become Hip-Hop's "Chinese Democracy" - Talked about since roughly 2008.Over the course of their young career(s), Mikey & Chuck have been strung along like drooling teenage boys... by a handful of labels. The Cool Kids' track record includes ill-fated time spent with: Fools Gold, Chocolate Industries, Mad Decent, and even the demise of their own label - "C.A.K.E. Recordings." Note-worthy early collections include The Bake Sale EP, Totally Flossed Out (mixtape)... and 2 lead up "fish-tapes," Gone Fishing (2009) and Tacklebox (2010). Some of my choice early favourites include: "Black Mags,""Mikey Rocks," "What It Is,""88,""Gold and a Pager," and "One Two."

A hairy legal battle with ex-publisher, Chocolate was finally settled in 2010. The master tapes were then [re-]released to the band. Following a string of many such delays, The Cool Kids just got fed up, said "Fuck it!" and signed with a soda company in 2010-11. The Green Label Sound (PepsiCo) imprint is essentially a lax, Internet-based music-centric "label."Having nixed the stereotypical "Lil' Wayne feature" fairly early on, Chuck & Mikey seem to have called in some "major league favors" for inclusion this go-round: Mayer Hawthorne (Stones Throw), Asher Roth, Boldy James, Maxine Ashley, Ghostface Killah (Wu-Tang Clan), Tennille, Pharrell [production], and Pulled Over By the Cops affiliates - Bun B/Chip tha Ripper. Pick up a copy of The Cool Kids' "debut album," When Fish Ride Bicycles when it's released this coming July 12th in conjunction with Mountain Dew.

Legend has it that Eddie Vedder picked up his first ukelele while on a Hawaiian beer run about 15 years ago (1996). The Seattle Grunge rocker has always seemed to have a strong connection with "Surf Culture" - Be it Music for Our Mother Ocean (MOM 1-3), hanging out with Jack Johnson and Laird Hamilton, A Broken Melody surf-track, "Amongst the Waves" (Pearl Jam), or his efforts with the Kelly Slater Foundation. I have to admit, I almost always automatically think of either Tiny Tim or Steve Martin, when I hear "ukelele."Ukelele Songs consists of a mix of originals and covers, some culled from sessions dating back to the mid-90's. Inter-spliced throughout the album's 16 tracks are covers of obscure 1920-30's hits, along with an alternate version of Pearl Jam's "Can't Keep." The track was originally featured on the band's 2002 album, Riot Act; A mix of Folk/Art Rock/Experimental music, the album housed fan favourites like "I Am Mine" and "Love Boat Captain."

At its heart, this new Vedder collection showcases duets with Cat Power and Irishman, Glen Hansard (The Frames/The Swell Season). Dedicated to his wife Jill McCormick and 2 daughters, Olivia/Harper Moon, Ukelele Songs is a very stripped down affair... At most, Vedder is accompanied by the cello stylings of Chris Worswick and other mild musical touches. In addition to Ukelele Songs, Monkeywrench Records also released a Live Concert Film today (May 31st) - Water on the Road. Filmed @ a 2008 DC solo show, the DVD features performances of Pearl Jam, Into the Wild (2007), and [1 choice] Ukelele Songs tracks. Actually pulled from 2 August shows @ Warner Theatre, the performances were filmed/directed/compiled by Brendan Canty (Fugazi) and Christoph Green. Further album reviews and interviews with Eddie Vedder can be viewed over @ Billboard and NPR (Ann Powers), respectively. A separate NPR piece additionally showcases an EXCLUSIVE "First Listen: Ukelele Songs"album stream.

Industrial Rocker turned film composer, Trent Reznor is currently putting the finishing touches on his second piece. Reznor's first composed output for The Social Network ("Facebook Movie") earned he and collaborative partner Atticus Ross a few Oscar/Golden Globe trophies. Again working with director David Fincher... This time on the American adaption(s) of The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo and its companion sequels ("The Girl Who Played with Fire" and "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest"). Fincher's versions will be based around 3 2009-released Swedish films - collectively dubbed "The Millenium Series," which were in turn, adapted from a popular Stieg Larsson novel trilogy.

Over Memorial Day Weekend, a "red band" (R-rated) teaser trailer for the Dec. 2011 film was released along with The Hangover, Part 2. Soon after Pitchfork'sTom Breihan reported on its sheer existence, the clip was leaked online. Already being toted as "The Feel Bad Movie of Christmas [2011]," initial glimpses of Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, as well as other actors, in character can be seen. A preview of the highly anticipated Reznor/Ross soundtrack can also be heard... In the form of an "Immigrant Song" (Led Zeppelin) cover, as performed by Trent Reznor & Karen O. of Yeah Yeah Yeahs-fame. Expect to see a secondary ["green band"] Dragon Tattoo trailer in theaters and online around June 2nd.

You will not be able to stay home, brother.You will not be able to plug in, turn on and cop out.You will not be able to lose yourself on skag and skip,Skip out for beer during commercials,Because the revolution will not be televised.

The revolution will not be televised.The revolution will not be brought to you by XeroxIn 4 parts without commercial interruptions.The revolution will not show you pictures of NixonBlowing a bugle and leading a charge by JohnMitchell, General Abrams and Spiro Agnew to eatHog maws confiscated from a Harlem sanctuary.The revolution will not be televised.

The revolution will not be brought to you by the Schaefer Award Theatre and will not star NatalieWoods and Steve McQueen or Bullwinkle and Julia.The revolution will not give your mouth sex appeal.The revolution will not get rid of the nubs.The revolution will not make you look five poundsThinner, because the revolution will not be televised, Brother.

There will be no pictures of you and Willie MayPushing that shopping cart down the block on the dead run,Or trying to slide that color television into a stolen ambulance.NBC will not be able predict the winner at 8:32Or report from 29 districts.The revolution will not be televised.

There will be no pictures of pigs shooting downBrothers in the instant replay.There will be no pictures of pigs shooting downBrothers in the instant replay.There will be no pictures of Whitney Young beingRun out of Harlem on a rail with a brand new process.There will be no slow motion or still life of RoyWilkens strolling through Watts in a red, black andgreen liberation jumpsuit that he had been savingFor just the proper occasion.

Green Acres, The Beverly Hillbillies, and HootervilleJunction will no longer be so damned relevant, andWomen will not care if Dick finally gets down withJane on Search for Tomorrow because black peopleWill be in the street looking for a brighter day.The revolution will not be televised.

There will be no highlights on the eleven o'clockNews and no pictures of hairy armed women Liberationists and Jackie Onassis blowing her nose.The theme song will not be written by Jim Webb,Francis Scott Key, nor sung by Glen Campbell, TomJones, Johnny Cash, Englebert Humperdink, or The Rare Earth.The revolution will not be televised.

The revolution will not be right back after a messageAbout a white tornado, white lightning, or white people.You will not have to worry about a dove in yourBedroom, a tiger in your tank, or the giant in your toilet bowl.The revolution will not go better with Coke.The revolution will not fight the germs that may cause bad breath.The revolution will put you in the driver's seat.

The revolution will not be televised, will not be televised,Will not be televised, will not be televised.The revolution will be no re-run brothers;The revolution will be LIVE.

Monday, May 30, 2011

"We realize this song was released prior to the Donuts material but we had a hard time singling out any one song. We also wanted to see "The Heist" come to life with its great lyrics and potential for visual representation. So, we apologize for any offense taken from mixing the 2 concepts... We just thought it was a cool way to have a "Donut MC." Hope you enjoy!We [would also like] to thank Stones Throw for this generous and unique opportunity."

Sunday, May 29, 2011

"Richard Phillips' "LINDSAY LOHAN" will be included in "Commercial Break," presented by Garage Center for Contemporary Culture (Venice, Italy) from June 1-5, 2011... Concurrent with the 54th international exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia."

"Filmed in a sleepy, French suburb in God-knows-where, and starring a group of the coolest kids in the cul-de-sac, "The Greeks"' video reflects the song - It's about everything, and kinda nothing, and being young, or something...We wanted to work together [with MEGAFORCE] to create something both visually appealing and aesthetically relevant to the band. We like kids, we like gangs, we really like daydreaming and imagination; The video straddles the line between nostalgia and the visual death-porn of our generation - the action film... This is a straight-up kid brawl the way it played out in your head when you were stealing your mum's mascara to be like Arnie in Predator. It isn't a shocking rebuke to our drama queen, populist news culture either - Just naive, blissful "shoot-yr-mate until he's definitely dead war-games" - The way you wish it still could be."

"I'm On Everything" is the newest track unveiled from Eminem and Royce da 5'9" (Slaughterhouse) - Collectively known as "Bad Meets Evil." The Detroit natives/recently reconciled friends were originally active from 1998-2002... and essentially re-grouped when Slaughterhouse recently signed to Marshalls' Shady Records. June 14's Hell: The Sequel EP will be the first legitimate release from the "Motor City" team, as they had previously only appeared together on featured tracks in their first incarnation. The second track released from the collection, "I'm On Everything" appears to be a homage to The Hangover [2]'s hard-partying ways. It features production from Mr. Porter (D12's very own Kon Artis) and a sampled bit/"hook" from stand-up comedian, Mike Epps - "Black Doug." Be on the look-out for the Syndrome-directed "Fast Lane" music video, which will reportedly be unleashed to the Blog Community on June 15th.

Friday, May 27, 2011

What a shame. Gil was a true legend and pioneer... On the bright side, there's such a plethora of great, timeless music to enjoy for years to come! R.I.P. Gilbert Scott-Heron; April 1, 1949–May 27, 2011 (62). Here's a collection of a few early obituaries - Courtesy of Variety, LA Times, and NPR.

Curren$y teamed up with Monsta Beatz production team ("Roaster") to string together Weekend at Burnie's. Being toted as a "street album" (mixtape), the release will serve as the New Orleans rapper's sixth overall release; Preceded by his major label debut Pilot Talk and its sequel (Pilot Talk 2) in 2010, a "free digital album" (mixtape) with The Alchemist for 4/20 - Covert Coup... As well as 2 lesser known releases for Amalgam Digital, way back in 2009.Jet Life Recordings (Warner Bros.) will release Curren$y & Monsta Beatz' Weekend at Burnie's project on June 28, 2011. Muscle Car Chronicles, a [shelved] Sean O'Connell/Damon Dash production, is also slated for a TBA 2011 release. "Pilot Talk 3" will be unleashed @ some point in the not-so-distant future as well.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Originally named after "Town Leader" Mark Foster - Foster & The People, repeatedly butchered by their circle of friends... and as a result, re-christened Foster The People. Yeah, the name stuck... as the associated "Take care of the people"/"Do it for the people" type of vibe was met with strong embrace.At its core, Foster The People is essentially Mark Foster (vocals, keyboard/guitar), Cubbie Fink (bass, backing vocals), and Mark Pontius (drums). Additional live musicians include Sean Cimino (guitar, keyboard/synthesizer) and Isom Innis (piano/keyboard); Both members also lend backing vocals for added flourishes, and played small roles in the making of The People's record. That album - Torches, was just released a mere 4 days ago by way of Columbia (Startime International). Said collection was preceded by a self-titled EP, which featured 3 of the [eventual] album's 10 tracks. "Pumped Up Kicks," the warm, Poppy lead single... Has been steadily gaining steam since its Feb. 2010 YouTube premier.

Fresh off the heels of the House of Balloons mixtape, comes the latest offering from The Weeknd: "Rolling Stone." R&B crooner, Abel Tesfaye has indicated that the past collection was the introductory part of a 2011 album arc - "Balloon Trilogy." Parts 2-3 will reportedly be dubbed Thursdays [Summer] and Echoes of Silence... [Fall]."Rolling Stone" seems to be the first taste of Thursdays, which Abel (@theweekndxo) has recently announced "is coming sooner than you think." Capped off by a fuzzed out feedback-filled intro, Abel proceeds to lay down an assortment of "ohs" and "ahs" over a sparse acoustic/percussive backing track. One can assume that the piece was produced by frequent collaborators, Doc McKinney & ILLANGELO. Pay close attention to The Weeknd's respectiveSocial Media feeds, as additional release information pertaining to the 2 upcoming mixtapes is soon to be released.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

While "Haus of GaGa" [creative team] originally only intended for "Edge of Glory" to serve as a Promo/Teaser Single, it's now being pushed as an Official Single. Meant to be included within iTunes' "Countdown to Born This Way" lead-up promotional effort... It became so successful almost immediately after its original release, inspiring countless YouTube memes and impacting US Mainstream Radio, in turn becoming Single #3.Genre-wise, "Edge of Glory" can easily be categorized as Electro Rock, Dance-Pop, Synthpop, and/or Jazz; The latter, due in part to the added sax riffs of Clarence Clemons (E Street Band). Thematically, the track was inspired by the recent death of GaGa's grandfather, as well as segments of Rocky 3.

Born This Way is now available for purchase @ Your Friendly Neighborhood Record Store. Select retailers will also be carrying a 2 CD-encompassing "Special Edition" version - Complete with 5 tacked on Bonus Remixes. The companion Laurieann Gibson-choreographed "Edge of Glory" music video is expected to debut shortly, via various media outlets.

Born Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24, 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota. "The Man, The Myth, The Legend" turned 70 just yesterday. A singer-songwriter, poet, and painter, Bob Dylan has released roughly 34 studio albums... Thus excluding countless live, collaborative, bootleg, and compilation collections. Some of Dylan's most memorable Pop Culture contributions include: "Going Electric" (Paul Butterfield Blues Band, 1965), enabling The Beatles' drug use-age, The Wallflowers, Hendrix's 1968 hit cover of "All Along the Watchtower," Judaism-Christianity-Judaism, "SOY BOMB," Kurtis Blow's "Street Rap," and "Judas!" From my personal experience, Dylan is much like Lil' Wayne - Either you love him and think he's "Prolific," or you simply just "Don't get it."

Rolling Stone recently teamed up with various musicians to compile a celebratory list of "The 70 Greatest Dylan Songs" (Issue #1131). With a backcatalog of 500+ odd tracks, it would be a very hard feat for me to compile such a list... But the first Dylan composition I remember hearing was "Simple Twist of Fate" in about 2003. Since then, I've amassed a definitive collection of Dylan vinyls, CD's, and cassettes. Amongst my favourite complete albums are Blood on the Tracks, Nashville Skyline, Highway 61 Revisited, Blonde on Blonde, The Bootleg Series, Vol. 7 (No Direction Home), and Dylan & The Dead. Recent albums, Modern Times (2006) and Together Through Life (2009) are also of note-worthy mention. Along with my dad and buddy Jeremy, I had the honor of catching a Dylan show @ Temple, as part of the 2009-10 leg of the "Never Ending Tour."

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

"[Justin]'s a FUCKING GENIUS!" I'd never seen nor heard of him in my life, and I looked up, and I was in a fucking 5x5 room with a white guy, smoking some of the best weed the world has to offer... His voice is like something I've never heard, and he's using words that are far from common. Within 20 minutes, I realized why Kanye had him there."

- Rick Ross @ Jason Lipshutz (Billboard)

As a special pre-Memorial Day "treat," Justin Vernon and Megafaun pianist, Phil Cook without a doubt brought the medley back... on the 5/23-24 episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC). For the occasion, Bon Iver 2.0 prepared a sparse, key-backed "A Song for You"/"I Can't Make You Love Me"/"Nick of Time" combo pack - Donny Hathaway (Leon Russell) and Bonnie Raitt covers, respectively. A short, pre-medley Fallon conducted interview can be viewed over @ Pitchfork. Vernon's Raitt Edit will exclusively appear on Side B of the "Calgary" 12" single.Jagjaguwar will soon release the group's second full-length (Bon Iver, Bon Iver) - June 21st in the US. Until then, Vernon's unique vocal stylings can be heard on 6 of Kanye's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy tracks. In addition to all that, Bon Iver's image will also be plastered across both Billboard and SPIN's upcoming "Summer Issues," along with companion cover stories. Be sure to catch Justin Vernon & Company while on their long-runningUS/European Tour (July-Nov. 2011).

Monday, May 23, 2011

Ross:"I don't use it. There's no reason. I mean you Tweet me, I hope you're no homo. They'll be like, "Yo man, let me get your blunt, no homo." That's why I don't smoke with nobody."Samberg:"We have cousins who are 11 or 12 years old who are like, "Hey man, do you wanna come over and hang out, no homo?" Like, fucking kids just come over and hang out with each other!"

Read the complete 3-page Complex sit-down interview. This is surely "one for the books." Kudos to Joe La Puma for conducting a CLASSIC, highly entertaining interview!Both Maybach Music Group (Rick Ross) - Self Made and Lonely Island - Turtleneck & Chain are now available for purchase @ your local record store.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

At its cold, Electronic heart, Tesla [Coil] Orchestra is essentially Ian Charnas (Conductor), Keith Lewis (Music Director), and a handful of other various behind-the-scenes contributors. In lamens terms, Tesla Orchestra is basically 2 giant, electro-fied, music-making coils/"instruments."The tedious process of building up the robotic "covers" generally starts off with obtaining the MIDI song files from the original artist. Then, segments of the track are crafted and sequenced... Sometimes parts of the track have to be left out, as the Tesla coils can only produce one note at a time. Keith Lewis elaborates, "We pick out the main melody and usually the bass line or harmony line from the existing track... Plug them into a standard MIDI track, send that information to the coils, and then play the backing track along with it."

Tesla Orchestra's latest effort - "Open Spark Project," is a 40-minute Master-Mix of many unique artists' works. In addition to the inclusion of well-known artists like Girl Talk (Gregg Gillis) and Bach, many small, Indie/DIY artists are featured throughout. Submissions can be sent entered for future inclusion via the designated "Open Spark Project"web-space.The above excerpt ["This Is THE Remix"] is taken from a recent May 14th Livestream, broadcast online. A follow-up "Best Of" performance is scheduled to take place on June 11th @ Cleveland's own Institute of Art. To book the group for a future gig, contact Ian Charnas @ info@teslaorchestra.com.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

"Blanck Mass" is the newly-appropriated alias of Electronic musician Benjamin John Power. Venturing out on his own for the first time, Power usually performs as 1/2 of Fuck Buttons... Not to be confused with similarly-named acts, Holy Fuck or Fucked Up. Formed in 2004 along with Andrew Hung, the band draws influence from Instrumental Rock/Experimental pioneers like Mogwai and Aphex Twin. Together, Power and Hung have crafted 2 albums-worth of material for ATP Recordings - Street Horrrsing (2008) and Tarot Sport (2009).

Ben Power has said that Blanck Mass, "Represents a pretty clear image of [him]self." An image that "might be controlled by some other type of subconscious guidance." - Deep... Trippy! The 10-track collection was entirely written, recorded, and self-produced by Power @ his London home, between Summer-Winter 2010. The sounds harnessed within Blanck Mass were inspired by Carl Sagan, Ennio Morricone... "the infinity of nature," and the concept of cerebral hypoxia [def: lack of oxygen delivery to the brain]. "Blanck Mass (1)" is slated to drop on June 21st, via Mogwai's own Rock Action (Scotland). The complete 10-track album is currently listen-able online, courtesy of a Bandcamp stream. Track #6 - "Land Disasters", is seemingly being pushed as a "lead single."

Friday, May 20, 2011

"Bass Drum of Death is a band from Mississippi. John plays guitar and sings and Colin plays the drums. Together they make blown-out, blazing songs... John was Fat Possum's worst employee 3 years ago. He wrote and recorded the whole record himself using just a drumset, a guitar, a USB microphone, a computer, and a shit-load of talent. The songs are about drugs, trying to make it with religious girls, panic attacks, stealing stuff, mild to severe depression, Elvis appearing in your dreams and giving you advice, gravity bongs, and the Devil living inside your brain."

For his latest creation, visual artist Nash[MONEY] teamed up with Alt. Hip-Hopper [MF] DOOM and iconic sneaker company PUMA. Fresh off the heels of the Air Force 1 "Sneaker Speakers" (Feb. 2011), Nash melded yet another set of rubber soles/soundsystem. - A truly perfect combination for die-hard Hip-Hop/Sneakerheads!Working alongside Metal Fingers himself, Nash managed to wire controls and lights through an over-sized pair of PUMA Suedes. Stylistically, they include some of DOOM's favourite features: "Shiny silver stuff, comics, villains, red LED's, Geometry, gems, rubies, Sci-Fi, gadgets, modern architecture, and metal shit." The release of the PUMA Suede "Sneaker Speakers" was set up as to coincide with the latest issue of Sneaker Freaker (magazine). The Online Edition of Issue #21includes further detailed images and additional information on the converted sneakers. Pick up a physical copy of Issue #21 over here, for the reasonable price of $7.99.

1. We Want An End To The Glamorization Of Negativity In The Media.2. We Want An End To Status Symbols Dictating Our Worth As Individuals.3. We Want A Meaningful And Universal Education System.4. We Want Substance In The Place Of Popularity.5. We Will Not Compromise Who We Are To Be Accepted By The Crowd.6. We Want The Invisible Walls That Separate By Wealth, Race & Class To Be Torn Down.7. We Want To Think Our Own Thoughts.8. We Will Be Responsible For Our Environment.9. We Want Clarity & Truth From Our Elected Officials Or They Should Move Aside.10. We Want Love, Not Lies.11. We Want An End To All Wars. Foreign & Domestic (Violence).12. We Want An End To The Processed Culture Of Exploitation, Over-Consumption & Waste.13. We Want Knowledge, Understanding & Peace.14. WE WILL NOT LOSE BECAUSE WE ARE NOT LOSERS, WE ARE L.A.S.E.R.S.!!!

L.A.S.E.R.S. are the opposite of losers. L.A.S.E.R.S. are shining beams of light that burn through the darkness of ignorance. L.A.S.E.R.S. shed light on injustice and inequality. Losers stand by and let things happen. L.A.S.E.R.S. act and shape their own destinies. Lasers find meaning and direction in the mysteries all around them. L.A.S.E.R.S. stand for love and compassion. Lasers stand for peace. L.A.S.E.R.S. stand for progression. L.A.S.E.R.S. are revolutionary.

L.A.S.E.R.S. Are The Future.We're Not Losers... We Are L.A.S.E.R.S.!!!Love Always Shines Everytime Remember 2 Smile!"

Erykah Badu/Suicidal Tendencies session bassist, Steve "Thundercat" Bruner is FINALLY breaking out on his own; Thundercat's debut solo release, Golden Age of Apocalypse was produced entirely by Flying Lotus... and will be issued later this Summer by way of FlyLo's record label, Brainfeeder. "For Love I Come," a George Duke cover, marks the first single released from the collection. Jeff Weiss @ Passion of the Weiss quite fittingly describes the track as, "Somewhere between Cosmogramma, classic Alice Coltrane, and Teebs... Breathtaking, beautiful, blah, blah blah."

Aside from his work on Cosmogramma and New Amerykah, Part 2: Return of The Ankh (2010), Bruner has also lent his bass-playing/writing talents to Shafiq Husayn (Sa-Ra Creative Partners), Bilal, M.I.A., and Andreya Triana's respective projects.Check out another "leaked" Golden Age of Apocalypse track, "Thundercat Jamboree" over @ Some Kind of Awesome. Stay tuned for an Official Brainfeeder release date... But I'm hearing around June/July.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Beyoncé's most recent effort, "4" (June 28 - Columbia Records), was said to have been structured in a way that would showcase her diverse personal music tastes. From the looks of the rough list of collaborators [Producers: Frank Ocean, Derek Miller, Diplo/Switch, Q-Tip, and Kanye]... Miss Knowles' "Most Frequently Played Artists" playlist includes the likes of: Major Lazer, Florence + The Machine, Sleigh Bells, Bon Iver, and Odd Future. Sia, Babyface, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, The-Dream, Bangladesh, and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins also reportedly contributed to the album sessions.

For this latest edition, Bruton Strouble profiles American Classic Barbershop - A bona fide, modern take on first-rate "Old School" establishments. Based out of St. Louis, Missouri, the shop has seen a recent spike in business, as a result of current 1930's-60's-centric TV series like Boardwalk Empire and Mad Men... Shop owner, Dave Devine discusses the overall air of the traditional barbershop, technique(s), the dos and don'ts of straight razor shaving, memorable clientele [war] stories, and common successes/failures. American Classic Barbershop is located directly @ 5419 Chippewa Street, Saint Louis, MO 63109-1635... (314)-351-5993. If you're ever in the area, stop by for a shave and a cold one! Help keep the true American classics alive!

While keeping up with the running "family" theme of their most recent album (The Family Sign), Atmosphere & MTV Buzzworthy Present... "She's Enough."The Dave Wilson-directed clip starts off in the with Slug dropping his son, Ben off at grade school. Right off the bat, while his teacher is preoccupied with a lesson about slugs and ants * ...Ben sticks a piece of gum in his classmate, Aria's hair. He continues to "Josh" her throughout the course of the day... Scribbling on her drawing, ruining Gym and Lunch, terrorizing her Teddy Bear collection, and throwing pudding in her hair. Even still, at the day's end, Aria kisses Ben on the cheek. An awkward conversation between Slug and Ben follows the next morning. Cameo appearances come from Keyboardist Erick Anderson (Aria's dad) and label-mate, Brother Ali (Lunchlady). Shouts due to my friend Danielle... AKA: "Lemmy Kill-Mistress," for making me [re-]aware of this GREAT/"CUTE" music video's sheer existence!

Additional [family-centric] promotional tools include: The Family Sign's "picture frame & stand" Deluxe CD packaging - complete with 7 interchangeable photos, 5 YouTube-transmitted sessions with Dr. Ralph Borka Group & Family Therapy, and "Just for Show"'s accompanying Lost-and-Found Dog visual. All of the materials listed above are easily search/find-able within The Wonderful World of Google. Thanks to Rhymesayers Entertainment, Atmosphere's The Family Sign is now available @ your local record store.

* The other 1/2 of Atmosphere, resident DJ/producer Ant[hony Davis] is seemingly featured as Prom King on the "She's Enough" Clean-Dirty-Inst. 12" single cover... Making up for his mysterious absence from the official video clip.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

"Hey, so here is a video that maybe explains a bit more of our motivations... In a clear and non-judgmental way. We really are mostly all being completely serious during this, it's kind of like a "Kayfabe moment" (or whatever), seeing as how the musical thing is mostly LEGIT. But it's the entire band identity up to this point [that] has been the actual thing that's needed clarification. But that will be for another time."

"ALEC BALDWIN IS A DIE-HARD YANKEES FAN, [WHILE] JOHN KRASINSKI PLEDGES HIS ALLEGIANCE TO RED SOX NATION... WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON? VOTE @ FACEBOOK/NEW ERA CAPS. PICK A TEAM AND SHOW YOUR FRIENDS WHICH FLAG YOU'RE FLYING FOR THE 2011 [MLB] SEASON!"

16,616-15,614 @ 5:00PM, May 17th.

Head on over to Canadian Business to check out Jeff Beer's article on the series, along with a Guy Barnett (The Brooklyn Brothers) interview. Beer points out that there are 3 more Baldwin/Krasinski Episodes to come... One for every Yankees vs. Red Sox series this season.

Before recently testing the "solo waters," Virginia Beach's favourite rapping brothers Clipse released 3 acclaimed albums, about 5 official mixtapes, and 1 shelved Elektra album (1999).Highlighted in this post, is "Wamp Wamp (What It Do?)" - The second single from Clipse's middle album. Hell Hath No Fury was produced by The Neptunes (Pharrell)... and this particular track featured guest verses from Houston's very own Slim Thug.After the release and promotion of Til the Casket Drops (2009-10), the brothers decided to take some time off to work on individual projects. In 2011, Pusha T and Malice both unleashed their assorted solo efforts.

Pusha T signed to Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music, appeared on Mr. West's 2010 Album #5/"G.O.O.D. Fridays" series, and released a mixtape - Fear of God. It has since produced related videos for "Cook It Down," "My God," "Can I Live?," and most recently "Open Your Eyes"/"Blow." This coming June 21st, Pusha will re-release the collection as a commercial EP... dubbed "Fear of God 2: Let Us Play."Malice's solo jaunt was a little less publicized... But just as maybe even more grandiose. Thorn10 PublishingreleasedGene Elliott Thornton, Jr. (Malice)'s debut memoir - "Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind & Naked" on Valentine's Day. In the lead-up time to the book's release, a series of 6 Vignettes were let loose to the blog community; They included musically-backed montages, book text excerpts, a skate video, fan Tweets compilation, rolling spliffs, and other various filmed activities... Clipse have [reportedly] reformed and re-entered the studio, and are beginning to prep rhyme schemes for Album #4.

Right around the time of its [her] Winter 2009 inception, viral muse "iamamiwhoami" was Speculated to be the new alter-ego of Popular songstresses like Christina Aguilera, Lady GaGa, and Lykke Li. When the artist responsible for the handful of mysteriously creepy videos was revealed to be none of the above... But in fact Swedish singer-songwriter Jonna Lee and musician/producer Claes Björklund, the Internet went a frenzy.Following the release(s) of a string of numerically coded "[animal] teaser clips," a set of legit [lettered] songs was slowly unleashed. Throughout the course of 2010, "b," "o," "u," "u-1," "n," "t," "u-1," and "y" were subsequently released as Amazon/iTunes singles. Internet-savvy fans should be able to locate an unofficial EP compilation of the tracks and their companion remixes - "To Whom It May Concern."

Upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that this most recent release ["; john" *], is the first visual released by the iamamiwhoami Camp since "20101104" - a now deleted teaser, originally uploaded about 6 months ago... Sans that, the last legit song released was August 4, 2010's "y."Surf on over to Jonna/Claes' iamamiwhoami YouTubeChannel to view the complete collection of [clue-filled] videos and songs. A Nov. 2010 midnight show, dubbed "In Concert," can be downloaded in full from iTunes and similar retailers. Wikipedia holds a surprisingly in-depth batch of audio/visual-related riddle analyses, as part of their iamamiwhoami Page.

* "; john" has now been released as a digital single, as well... So, look for more new iamamiwhoami music to come to fruition shortly.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

"Nine Inch Nails (NIN) was formed in 1988 and remains a vehicle for the talents of Trent Reznor, its founder. Reznor's brand of industrial rock is sometimes harsh, often uncompromising and is complemented by perverted, tortured imagery Professionally, he has often found himself at odds with the entertainment industry which has led to tumultuous relationships and ongoing legal wrangles...Halo Seventeen, CD 2 [Still] Stand-alone release of second disc from And All That Could Have Been [2002]. Released in VERY LIMITED EDITION for a short time on the NIN website. * - This is a digipak with a 10 page booklet, consisting abstract images from live shows and liner notes."

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Essentially a sequenced, packaged, and re-mastered version of their recent #BrainCandy song series, Kidz In the Hall Present... Semester Abroad!Naledge and Double-O's take on Mr. West's now notorious "G.O.O.D. Fridays" concept, featured the Chicago MC/Beatsmith team releasing new tracks weekly... paired along with EXCLUSIVE video content.#BrainCandy was seemingly inspired by Kids In the Hall: Brain Candy, a 1996 Lorne Michaels-produced feature film conceived by the Canadian comedy troupe. The Semester Abroad (mixtape) showcases 7 previously-released tracks - Boasting features from the likes of CurT@!n$, Smoke DZA, Curren$y, and tabi Bonney... Along with newly-fabricated artwork and a few additional EXTRAS (freestyles, new tracks, freshened features). - Treats located below include: downloads/streams of the collection's 12 contained tracks and a sampling of the #BrainCandy video catalog... For your convenience, I've also included a direct HulkShare [download] link, compliments of eskay @ Nah Right.

Friday, May 13, 2011

"During a stop in Boston for his latest tour run, KiD CuDi and the crew put together a little documentary... Directed by Jason Goldwatch/DECON, the video goes to the tune of CuDi's latest song, "cudderisback" [Vampire Weekend - "Ottoman" (2008) sample]. It's pure jokes, so enjoy and laugh a bit!"

About Me

Greetings, people of the world... Matt Horowitz AKA "The Witzard" here. I'm a 30-year-old college grad hailing from South Jersey. After receiving degrees in both Journalism and Business Management, I started this very blog around 2010 in an effort to share my vast knowledge of Pop Culture to help sharpen my writing chops. I thoroughly enjoy all things Pop Culture and some of my favorite genres include Punk, Hip-Hop, Indie Rock, etc. But I'll practically listen to anything once. I'm also an avid record collector and honestly, almost anything sounds better on wax! Thank you kindly for listening! Please, feel free to send music submissions to sharpcheddar856@gmail.com or Follow The Witzard on Twitter (@SharpCheddar856)